How did you first find out about bariatric surgery and what were your initial impressions of it?

I first heard about it when my sister in law's sister had the surgery. I looked into it after that and went to see a surgeon but got scared off when I overheard the patients in the office and then was even more turned off by the rapid assembly line approach the office staff had. Their approach was so regimented and it didn't take my feelings into consideration.

Describe your experience with getting insurance approval for surgery. What advice, if any, do you have for other people in this stage?

I was lucky with insurance. My policy didn't cover the procedure but I am also covered by my husband's policy and they did cover the procedure. Everything went through right away without a problem.

What was your first visit with your surgeon like? How can people get the most out of this meeting?

I felt like he was caring. He listened and discussed the options I had. My husband was with me and the surgeon talked to both of us together. It was reassuring.

What made you finally decide to have the surgery?

I decided to have the surgery because I wanted my life back. I couldn't breathe, I was sweating all the time. I couldn't do the things I wanted to do and I was fearful I would have a heart attack or a stroke.

How did you decide which proceedure to have?

I decided to have the gastric bypass because it gave me the best chance to reverse my diabetes.

What fears did you have about having complications or even dying from from the surgery, and what would you tell other people having the same fears now?

I have a great fear of dying from the surgery. I have diminished lung capacity (COPD) and I am worried about the anesthesia. I don't fear the actual surgery and the potential complications.

How did your family and friends react to your decision? Would you have communicated anything differently if you could now? How supportive were they after your surgery?

My husband and many of my friends and coworkers were scared for me. They know it is a major surgery and they are fearful.

How did your employer/supervisor react to your decision? What did you tell him/her? How long were you out of work?

My employer was supportive and although it is difficult for us to get a replacement for me while I am out of work they cheerfully did so without question.

What was your stay in the hospital like? How long where you there? What things are most important to bring?

My hospital stay was very pleasant. The staff was very supportive and very responsive to my needs. I was in the hospital a total of 4 days.

In the weeks after you got your surgery date, how did you feel? How did you cope with any anxiety you might have felt?

I didn't experience any anxiety. I felt better and better each day and found myself very excited and enthusiastic. It really changed my outlook--I now felt the whole world was before me and that everything was possible.

Describe your first few weeks home from the hospital. What should people expect from this period?

After I got home from the hospital, I stayed out of work for a week. I walked and rested and learned to drink and eat soft foods. It wasn't bad at all. Probably the worst part was having to change my dressings on my feeding tube site and drain tube site.

How far did you travel to have your surgery? (If far, how did this affect your aftercare?)

I was very fortunate because the hospital, the surgeon's office and my support group are all less than three miles from my house.

Please describe in detail what things you could and couldn't eat in the weeks and months following surgery. What foods have been off limits? Please explain how your dietary tolerance changed week-by-week, and then month-by-month since surgery.

At first I was on just liquids. Then I slowly added soft foods. By the 3rd week I was eating meats and learning to chew them well. The soft foods are still the easiest to eat...they just go down without any irritating scratching in my stomach. Harder foods---especially raw veggies and things I haven't chewed well are scratchy and feel like I have eaten rocks. When this happens I just spit it back up and start over. I haven't had any foods that I haven't been able to tolerate.

What was your actvity level in the days and weeks after surgery?

I was far more energetic after the surgery. I was just so hyped up! I was thrilled I had made it and saw all of the possibilites in front of me. Now I am walking, swimming, going shopping---all without sweating and being out of breath!

What vitamins and/or dietary supplements have you taken since your surgery?

I take 2 chewable calcium (Bariatric Advantage), 2 chewable multivitamins (Centrum Silver) and I take a sublingual B12 once a week.

What side effects (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbace, dumping, hair loss etc.) were worse for you? For how long after surgery did they persist? How did you cope with them?

I had some nausea in the hospital but they gave me medication to alleviate that. It was from the anesthesia effects. I do spit up foods that I find too scratchy and hard. This is easier to do than to have to deal with the food rolling around in my stomach until it softens. Only happens when I eat too fast and don't chew my food well.

What was the worst part about the entire bariatric surgery process?

The worst part was the pain from the surgery. I thought--well I have had 2 kids naturally so I can handle this. This was different---I never had major surgery before so I was naive about what to expect. They gave me plenty of pain medication in the hospital and some for home so I was able to cope well.

What aftercare support group/program do you have? How helpful/important is this?

I joined Laprascopic Weight Loss Surgery Center. They have a team of surgeons and they all work together offering surgery, support groups, insurance processing, education classes, etc. This is very helpful. They have made the process far less stressful.

What is your scar like? Is this what you expected?

I just have 6 small scars that are more like slits. They are reddish in color but I am applying cream to them and they are lightening up. I don't expect to see them in a year.